Former GM breaks down Panthers' Bryce Young, Texans' C.J. Stroud

Former NFL general manager and current The Athletic contributor Randy Mueller believes the Carolina Panthers must assemble a better overall offensive unit to ensure the franchise doesn't regret drafting quarterback Bryce Young first overall over Houston Texans starter C.J. Stroud. 

"You’re gonna have to really build a perfect group around him," Mueller said about Young during a chat with Joseph Person of The Athletic for a piece published Friday. "Your interior offensive line has to be built different, like the [New Orleans Saints] did with Drew Brees. They purposefully did the guards and center as a stronger, can’t-give-ground threesome because of that lack of size. His vision can’t be compromised."

Mueller added that Young "would benefit from having bigger receivers to target."  

Concerns that the 5-foot-10 Young would struggle to match his college accomplishments in the NFL have only grown louder now that he's appeared in eight regular-season games. According to ESPN stats, Young heads into this weekend ranked 31st in the league among 32 qualified players with a 33.1 adjusted QBR, 29th with a 75.9 passer rating and 34th with an average of 5.4 yards per pass attempt on the campaign. He's tossed eight touchdown passes and seven interceptions for a 1-8 Panthers team preparing to host the 6-3 Dallas Cowboys Sunday. 

Stroud, listed at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, fell to the Texans at No. 2 overall and is viewed as a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate. He began Friday ranked 10th among qualified players with a 63.2 adjusted QBR, sixth with a 101.0 passer rating and first with an average of 291.8 passing yards per game. Across nine contests, Stroud has thrown 15 touchdown passes with only two picks en route to helping Houston get to 5-4 before Sunday's home matchup versus the 2-8 Arizona Cardinals. 

"He had all the skill set," Mueller said about Stroud. "He had the frame and the measurables. I didn’t have a lot of hesitation on him coming out. I’m just surprised that that (Texans) group right now is playing as good as they are. I think the team has helped elevate his status for sure."

Young and Stroud will forever be linked and could become key figures for one of the biggest "what if?" NFL stories in recent memory, especially if the Panthers part ways with head coach Frank Reich in January.